The meaning most commonly associated with apoplectic in modern use is “extremely enraged,” which appears to be the one intended in the Vanity Fair headline. The initial meaning in English, however, was of more of a medical nature (“of, relating to, or causing apoplexy or stroke”). Apoplectic (and apoplexy comes from the Greek word apoplēssein, meaning “to cripple by a stroke.”

What should I stand here expressing infinite millions, that throwe the noble arte of Phisique haue ben preserued, I can testifie of a thousande, and not so fewe that I haue cured in all partes, for these fouretéene yeares: some frantique, Apoplectique, Epileptique, Melanchollique, Paralitique, Goutie, Pleuritique, Hydropique….John Jones, The Bathes of Bathes, 1572